Before you dig: items marked [CONFIRM] are Bearcat field practice, not yet checked against the Cimarron assembly sheet packed with this kit. Where the two differ, the Cimarron sheet wins. Questions: call or text 817-803-1445, or book the $149 layout check and we walk the site with you on video.
1. Site needs
Level area at least 75 ft by 16 ft
Ground that takes a sleeve or a concrete footing at each upright (pattern in the layout guide)
Clearance of 14 ft overhead
2. Anchor pattern
8 pairs of uprights (16 uprights total), one pair every 10 ft along the 70 ft length, each pair 12 ft apart across the width. [CONFIRM count and spacing against the Complete Frame HD sheet; the frame box lists the sleeve count]
Lay out the two long lines first with string and stakes, then mark each upright along the lines. Check both diagonals before you set a single sleeve.
Uprights carry the roof rails at 12 ft. Corner fittings tie the end rails in; tee fittings carry the intermediate roof rails.
Leave a clear path at the plate end for the net door. Do not put a brace or a guy line across it.
3. Footing depth and set
The kit ships ground sleeves for each upright. Set each sleeve in a concrete footing 10 in diameter by 30 in deep, sleeve top flush with grade or 1 in proud so water runs off. [CONFIRM sleeve length and footing depth]
Plumb each sleeve in two directions while the concrete is wet and brace it with scrap lumber until it sets. A sleeve 1 degree off plumb puts the top of a 12 ft upright 2.5 in out of line.
Soft or sandy soil: go to 12 in by 36 in footings. Rock within 24 in: core the sleeve into the rock and epoxy-set it, or surface-mount with a base plate. [CONFIRM base plate option]
Cure 48 hours before you stand the frame, 7 days before you tension the net hard.
4. Hang the net in this order
Stand the frame fully assembled and plumb before the net comes out. Snug the fittings but do not fully tighten the set screws until the roof rails are in and the frame is square.
Unroll the net on the ground inside the frame, ceiling panel on top, long axis along the cage. Flag the four ceiling corners.
Lift and clip the four ceiling corners to the four corner fittings. Then clip along both roof rails every 18 to 24 in, middle out toward the ends. [CONFIRM clip spacing]
Clip the end roof rails. Drop the walls. Tie the side walls to the uprights every 2 ft with the tie cord, starting at the top and working down.
Finish with the end walls. The plate end gets a 3 ft overlap tied only at the top so it works as a door.
5. Tension sequence
Roof first: pull the ceiling flat corner to corner so the net center line sits under the frame center line, then work the clips along the roof rails until there is no bag.
Walls second: tie top to bottom, same tension on both sides so the frame is not pulled off plumb. Sight down the uprights after each wall.
Floor last: the walls should puddle 6 to 12 in on the ground. Do not stretch the net tight to the ground; a tight net wears at the clips and throws balls back.
Re-check every tie after the first week of use and after the first hard wind.
6. Tools
Post-hole digger or auger
Level
Wrench set
Ladder
Rubber mallet
Tape measure (100 ft) and string line with stakes
Concrete: about 2 bags (80 lb) per footing [CONFIRM per footing size]
Tape or flags to mark the net corners
7. Safety
Call 811 before you dig. It is free and it is the law in every state.
Overhead: nothing closer than 10 ft to a power line, including the ladder.
Never tension a net or a cable before the concrete has cured.
Two people on every ladder lift of net or rail. Three on a commercial net.
8. In the box
70x12x12 #24 twisted-poly batting cage net (or #42 if upgraded)
Complete Frame HD: 1.5 in galvanized steel pipe, corner and tee fittings, ground sleeves
Net clips, tie cord, and frame hardware
Bearcat layout guide (PDF) with anchor pattern and tension sequence
Cimarron part numbers: 702224TPCF1.5. Missing or damaged parts: photograph the box and the packing slip and text us the same day so we can file with Cimarron.